Well, Demi. from what I have read, if the plastic was pink-coloured, then there was mercury in it. Also, the metal bar on the retainer could have been nickel (carcinogenic) and that would have increased the electrical charge in your mouth, thus drawing out more mercury. I had braces (nickel) and a pink plastic retainer with a metal bar. Not only that, my dentist lightly drilled and filled my four back molars just before I got my braces for some strange reason (money?) He said it was necessary because I was going to get braces! They had no cavities that I am aware of.

Here's a question. My daughter is just about to come out of braces. I don't want the regular retainer for her due to its pink colour (mercury) and nickel bar, esp since there is a strong history of breast cancer in my husband's family. Does anyone know of a more biologiically-friendly type of retainer? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />